Spain vs Russia (R16) - 15:00 - 01/07/2018

[Badgers]

Second day of knockouts and this one (on paper) is probably the most one-sided so far.

There is a small 'home advantage' for Russia who will have about 80k fans cheering them and booing the Spanish. However I suspect Spain will get this by a couple of goals.

Spain, who are unbeaten since losing to Italy at Euro 2016, have yet to hit the heady heights with which they are usually associated, but Russia may be a team against whom they can cut loose. They will certainly attempt to dominate the ball.

The home team, however, have worked like Trojans and have been clinical when opportunities have come knocking. Russia are ranked bottom at this tournament for chances created, with 18, but have still managed to score eight goals, while in terms of distance covered in the group stage (331km) they ranked third.

Football statisticians Gracenote Sports believe Spain have a 13% chance of winning the World Cup, while host Russia's prospects stand at 2%.

 

[frogwoman]

I think Russia will narrowly get this.

 

[magneze]

It'll be close. Russia grab a lucky winner.

 

[TruXta]

Rossiya will win by two goals

 

[binka]

I think Russia will narrowly get this.

No chance Russia are absolutely awful. Only reason they got through is because they were seeded in pot 1 as hosts so got an easy group - otherwise they'd have been in pot 4 (although if they weren't hosts they wouldn't have qualified anyway).

I'd be very surprised if Spain don't win this by at least 2 clear goals, and possibly 3 or 4.

 

[campanula]

Not even home advantage is going to lift Russia...but Spain often confound me - usually look good on paper but can be woeful on the day. Still, think Spain will win...and fairly easily.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Confidence or hubris?

 

[Lord Camomile]

This isn't the most inspiring photo if you're Spanish.

 

[Pickman's model]

Play up Russia

 

[Lord Camomile]

That's a decent anthem the Russians have got*.



*without knowing what the hell it's about.

 

[Wilf]

That's a decent anthem the Russians have got*.



*without knowing what the hell it's about.

Used to be the Internationale though, through till WW2 iirc. Much better.

 

[Wilf]

Dropping Iniesta is... odd. Thought they'd have just tried to pass the fuck out of Russia.

 

[Wilf]

My favourite outcome is Spain win but ramos gets sent off. Then putin kicks a chair in annoyance and breaks his toe. Please.

 

[campanula]

Torres!

 

[blairsh]

Oh dear

 

[Favelado]

Not Ramos.

 

[campanula]

ouch OG

 

[blairsh]

Surely that was an own goal!?

 

[May Kasahara]

Lol

 

[Badgers]

FFS

 

[Wilf]

My favourite outcome is Spain win but ramos gets sent off. Then putin kicks a chair in annoyance and breaks his toe. Please.

Well, that's left me in a quandry.

 

[dessiato]

Surely that was an own goal!?

According to my feed, yes.

 

[Favelado]

Would like Ramos to dislocate his shoulder after celebrating his next one.

 

[blairsh]

Spain must break you...

 

[binka]

Dropping Iniesta is... odd. Thought they'd have just tried to pass the fuck out of Russia.

I don't get all the fuss they're making about it. Iniesta usually comes off on about 70 mins but in the last game he did the full 90 just a few days ago. They'll need him a lot more in future games so it makes sense to rest him a bit now against one of the weakest teams left in it. If they can't beat Russia without Iniesta then they're in trouble

 

[tommers]

Spain are so boring. They just took 26 passes then to get it back to their own goalkeeper.

Yawn o rama.

 

[tommers]

Mexican wave has started already.

33 mins.

 

[dessiato]

Spain don't look too motivated.

 

[campanula]

russia woefully exposed

 

[J Ed]

Spain are so boring. They just took 26 passes then to get it back to their own goalkeeper.

Yawn o rama.

Yes, very dull match so far imo.